Cybersecurity, open source, artificial intelligence: some of the topics discussed by national and international experts at the fair promoted by Faq400 with the patronage of Assoprovider. 

It is called ICT Village, the virtual 3D fair on information technology, promoted by Faq400, the Italian reference community for the IBM i/AS400 platform, and sponsored by Assoprovider, the association of independent providers.

The fair starts on May 20, covering topics such as cybersecurity, open source, ERP, and artificial intelligence, and will hold its events until December 31, 2021.

Live Session with national and international experts

During the weeks, there will be contributions from Italian and international experts, "live sessions" dedicated to IT Managers, CIOs with case histories and success stories that can inspire; and also "on demand sessions," where it will be possible to review the webinars produced during the fair.

An area for a "Virtual Expo" is also planned, where it will be possible to explore the most cutting-edge ICT technologies available on the market:

"Reality is stubborn and does not bend to our needs. But is the presence of Covid really something that hinders our work? 2020 was not a lost year; on the contrary, we experimented with a new mode of communication and meeting. This year we are trying to achieve something extraordinary by also involving Assoprovider: the first 3D Virtual Fair dedicated to the Italian ICT market," explains Guglielmo Maffeis, CEO of Faq400.

The patronage of Assoprovider

Assoprovider has decided to sponsor the initiative at a time when there is a growing need to stay increasingly in touch, even if virtually, with all players in the ICT market, from technology solution providers to end companies:

"In Assoprovider, we have long embarked on a path to identify ICT communities with which to collaborate. We believe that structural Digital Divide is sometimes a cause and sometimes a consequence of Cognitive Digital Divide: in both cases, only widespread and integrated communication between our members and ICT companies can, over time, foster the growth of a digital community that includes all stakeholders and thus increase the competitiveness of companies," explains Marcello Cama, vice president of Assoprovider.

The sponsorship is part of other initiatives that the association has launched in recent months to promote dialogue and discussion among ICT stakeholders, institutions, and citizens, such as OpenTLC, the association's print periodical, and podcasts, which explain the reasons why Italy is still a deeply digitally divided country:

"OpenTLC and podcasts are tools to offer solutions to the digital divide and, at the same time, to narrate our two-decade-long battles, including the liberalization of WiFi, endeavors that, thanks to our members, have effectively created the 'BackOffice' of the internet in our country," concludes Marcello Cama.

Who is Assoprovider: Independent association of companies operating as Internet Service Providers (ISP). Founded in July 1999, it aims to combat the power dynamics and division of large carriers and telephone companies. The association, which today includes about 245 companies in the Internet Services and connectivity sector, aims to promote the harmonious development of the Internet in Italy. In particular, it seeks to contribute to bridging the gap that still separates us from the most digitized nations and to help Italy become a key player in the global Internet development process. Info: https://assoprovider.it/patrociniofaq400fb

Who is Faq400:  Community italiana di riferimento per la piattaforma IBM i /AS400, si prefigge l’obiettivo di dare concretezza e continuità a una serie di attività e servizi rivolti alla Community degli sviluppatori/sistemisti e al mercato IBM i/AS400 in generale in Italia. L’idea originale risale all’anno 2000, con la nascita del portale Faq400.com, punto di riferimento per tecnici e società che operavano con la piattaforma che allora si chiamava ancora AS400. Ad Aprile 2017, con l’avvento dei Social Network, nasce Faq400 Srl per aggregare la Community IBM i/AS400 in Italia e fare da hub per una serie di servizi all’intero ecosistema. Info: https://www.faq400.com/

To participate in the ICT Village events, connect to the link https://www.faq400events.com/